Color changing lighted nock for arrow shafts

ABSTRACT

An LED of a lighted nock sequentially advances through multiple different emitted colors by exposing the nock to a magnetic field. The nock is placed in the activated or lit state. Then a magnet is brought within range of a magnetic sensor included in the electronic circuit of the nock assembly. The change in the magnetic field causes the electronic circuit to advance the emitted LED light to the next color in a sequence of multiple colors. Repeated removal and re-application of the magnetic field while the LED remains lit advances the LED color repeatedly through the available colors until the user reaches their desired color. Then the LED is deactivated or turned off. Then when the LED is re-lit, it will still be in the last color chosen, and will remain there until the color is advanced again.

PRIORITY

This application claims the priority benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/204,372, filed on Aug. 12, 2015, which is herebyincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present invention relates to arrow systems, and more particularly,to a lighted nock that can be caused to change colors in response to anapplied magnetic field.

BACKGROUND

The use of lighted nocks for archery is known. Lighted nocks arebeneficial because they allow the archer to track the flight of thearrow to their intended target, particularly in low-light conditions.Lighted nocks are typically lighted with a light emitting diode (LED)powered by a small battery, typically lithium-type, disposed within thenock assembly. The nock is either clear or translucent so that the LEDlight source can light up the nock when the battery power is applied.

However conventional lighted nocks are only one single color, which mustbe chosen by the user at the time of purchase. The color of the lightednock either cannot be changed, or the battery/LED component must beremoved from the assembly and replaced with a different battery/LEDassembly having a different color. Either way, the user desiring tochange their LED color must swap out one or more components to make thecolor change, thus making color changes inconvenient and expensive. SomeLED colors are more visible than others based on various levels andtypes of color blindness or based upon the personal preference of thearcher. Moreover, the available array of colors to a given purchaser islimited because each separate color of nock assembly of subcomponentmust be merchandised, which takes up limited display space in a store.Packaging multiple separately colored lighted nocks in one singlepackage would be cost prohibitive and undesirable as archers like toshoot a consistent color of lighted nock to tell their arrow apart fromothers. Therefore, there is a need to provide an improved lighted nocksystem that permits the user to change the color of the LED withoutneeding to alter or replace their nock components.

SUMMARY

The disclosure includes a nock assembly configured to allow for thesequential switching between multiple different emitted colors of thelight by exposing the nock to a magnetic field. The nock is placed inthe on or lit state. Then a magnet is brought within range of a magneticsensor that is in the electronic circuit of the nock assembly. Thechange in the magnetic field causes the circuit to advance the emittedLED light to the next color in a sequence of multiple colors. Repeatedremoval and re-application of the magnetic field while the LED remainslit advances or steps the LED color repeatedly through the availablecolors until the user reaches their desired color. Then the LED isdeactivated or turned off. Now when the LED is re-lit, it will still bein the last color chosen, and will remain there until the color isadvanced again by exposure to the magnetic field when in the lit state.

The disclosure also includes a color changing lighted nock for arrowshafts. The nock comprises a nock assembly and an electronic circuitdisposed within the nock assembly. The electronic circuit comprises ared/green/blue (RGB) light emitting diode (LED), a first flip-flopcoupled to the RGB LED, and a magnetic sensor coupled to the firstflip-flop. A second flip-flop can be coupled to the RGB LED and to thefirst flip-flop.

A plurality of transistors can be electrically disposed between thefirst flip-flop and the RGB LED. In one example, a first transistorelectrically is disposed between the first flip-flop and the RGB LED, asecond transistor is electrically disposed between the first flip-flopand the RGB LED, and a third transistor is electrically disposed betweenthe second flip-flop and the RGB LED.

The electronic circuit can be configured to sequentially advance to anext one of a plurality of different colors upon the application of amagnetic field to the magnetic sensor.

The disclosure further includes a color changing lighted nock kit forarrow shafts. The kit comprises a plastic shell and a color changinglighted nock according to claim 1 disposed within the plastic shell. Thecolor changing lighted nock includes a shaft insertion portion having afirst diameter dimension. A first adaptor is also disposed in theplastic shell. The first adaptor includes an internal opening having aninternal diameter conforming to the first diameter dimension of theshaft insertion portion of the color changing lighted nock, and thefirst adaptor having a first adaptor outside diameter larger than thefirst end outside diameter dimension of the shaft insertion portion ofthe color changing lighted nock. A second adaptor is further disposed inthe plastic shell. The second adaptor includes an internal openinghaving an internal diameter conforming to the first diameter dimensionof the shaft insertion portion of the color changing lighted nock, andthe second adaptor having a second adaptor outside diameter larger thanthe first adaptor outside diameter.

The color changing lighted nock of the kit can include a nock bodycomprising an index structure that prevents relative rotation of thenock body with respect to the arrow shaft while allowing the nock bodyto move towards the arrow shaft along a longitudinal axis of the arrowshaft to illuminate the RGB LED.

The disclosure additionally includes a method of changing color of asporting equipment. The method includes activating an LED assemblydisposed within the sporting equipment, applying a magnetic field to amagnetic sensor coupled to the LED assembly, and sequentially advancingto a next one of a plurality of different colors upon the application ofa magnetic field to the magnetic sensor.

The disclosure also includes an electronic circuit for changing color ofan LED assembly. The electronic circuit includes an LED, a firstflip-flop coupled to the LED, a magnetic sensor coupled to the firstflip-flop, and a second flip-flop coupled to the first flip-flop and tothe LED.

The present color changing features can be provided to a wide variety ofsporting equipment where lighting is desirable, including fishingequipment such as bobbers and lures, golf balls, Frisbees, archeryequipment such as nocks, among others.

The above summary is not intended to limit the scope of the invention,or describe each embodiment, aspect, implementation, feature oradvantage of the invention. The detailed technology and preferredembodiments for the subject invention are described in the followingparagraphs accompanying the appended drawings for people skilled in thisfield to well appreciate the features of the claimed invention. It isunderstood that the features mentioned hereinbefore and those to becommented on hereinafter may be used not only in the specifiedcombinations, but also in other combinations or in isolation, withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a color changing lighted nocksystem for an arrow shaft according to certain example embodiments.

FIG. 2 is an assembly perspective view of a color changing lighted nocksystem for arrow shafts according to certain example embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a packaged color changing lighted nock systemkit for arrow shafts according to certain example embodiments.

FIG. 4 is an electrical circuit schematic according to certain exampleembodiments.

FIG. 5 is a discreet circuit diagram showing a layout of the circuitcomponents of FIG. 1 on a board according to certain exampleembodiments.

While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternativeforms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in thedrawings and will be described in detail. It should be understood,however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to theparticular example embodiments described. On the contrary, the inventionis to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives fallingwithin the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following descriptions, the present invention will be explainedwith reference to various exemplary embodiments. Nevertheless, theseembodiments are not intended to limit the present invention to anyspecific example, environment, application, or particular implementationdescribed herein. Therefore, descriptions of these example embodimentsare only provided for purpose of illustration rather than to limit thepresent invention. It is understood that the various features andaspects discussed herein may be used in any combination, or inisolation, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The present invention can be configured as a lighted nock such as thatdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,777,786, entitled “LIGHTED NOCK” which ishereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Referring to FIG. 1, a color changing lighted nock assembly 100 is shownin axial alignment with three different size nock sleeves or nockadaptors 102 a, 102 b and 102 c. Each adaptor has a different outsidediameter (OD) corresponding to certain common inside diameters (ID) ofarrow shafts 104. For example, adaptor 102 a for 0.204 inch shaft ID,adaptor 102 b for 0.233 inch shaft ID and adaptor 102 c for 0.244 inchshaft ID are all shown. Other adaptor sizes can be provided withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention.

The inside diameter of each of the nock adaptors 102 a, 102 b and 102 cis the same so that a single lighted nock assembly 100 can be useduniversally with all of the different OD size adapters. In one example,the inside diameter of the adaptors is 0.165 inches. In this example,the outside diameter of the portion of the nock assembly 100 that isinserted into the adaptor is sized to fit 0.165 inch ID arrow shafts.Thus, the nock assembly 100 would be used without an adapter for 0.165inch ID arrow shafts, and with a respective adaptor 102 a, 102 b and 102c for 0.204, 0.233 and 0.244 inch shaft IDs. Currently 0.165 inch shaftIDs are the smallest widely used by hunters, but the present inventioncan be adapted to smaller shafts and used with a wider variety ofadaptors without departing from the scope of the invention.

The feature of using one standard nock size with a variety of adaptorsto fit with a variety of different arrow ID shafts reduces the need formanufacturing more than one size lighted nock. The feature of theability to change the color of the lighted nock reduces the need tomanufacture nocks (or nock components) in multiple different colors.Each of the foregoing fitment and color changing features aloneeliminates the need for the store to maintain inventory and merchandisemore than one lighted nock size and color. Combining both color andfitment features provides for the greatest reduction in merchandisingand inventory needs.

The color changing feature allows the user to choose the color oflighted nock that they prefer from the available color palate. Thus, theuser can differentiate their nock color from other archers in theirgroup, or choose a color that provides the best visibility in thecurrent conditions, or just to pick a favorite color.

The fitment feature provides the additional benefit that a user cannotaccidentally purchase the wrong size of lighted nock for theirparticular shaft ID. Furthermore, the user now has the ability to usethe same lighted nock for multiple arrow shaft ID sizes that they mayuse for targets or hunting by simply moving the lighted nock from oneshaft to another with the use of the adaptors that are all provided inthe original package (kit).

A single “universal fit” and/or “universal color” package or kit 106 canbe provided, as shown in FIG. 2, that contains one or more colorchanging lighted nock assemblies 100 and a variety of nock adaptors 102a, 102 b and 102 c, each in a plurality of sizes. In a preferredembodiment, there is the same number of nock adaptors as the number ofcolor changing lighted nock assemblies 100. More or fewer numbers ofcolor changing lighted nock assemblies and nock adaptors can be providedin a single package without departing from the scope of the invention.Additionally, an instruction sheet can be disposed in the package or theinstructions can be incorporated into the packaging itself.

The packaging comprises a full or partial plastic shell 108 includingjoined front and back panels in a preferred embodiment. An aperture 109can be defined adjacent the top edge to allow for hanging by a post inthe store display.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the color changing lighted nock system ordevice 100 components are shown. The nock assembly comprises a nock body110, an LED assembly 112, a nock activation collar 114 disposed aroundthe outside diameter of the first end of the nock body 110, and a nockhousing portion 116. The LED end of the LED assembly 112 is secured tothe nock body 110. The second end of the nock body 110 defines a channelportion configured to receive the string of the bow. The housing portion116 includes a first end configured for insertion into the insidediameter of the arrow shaft and a second end that defines an aperturefor receiving the first end of the nock body 110. Raised male index tabs118 adjacent the first end of the nock body are configured to engagerespective recessed female index slots 119 defined in the second end ofthe housing 116.

The color changing lighted nock system is assembled by securing the LEDend of the LED assembly 112 to the nock body 110 via the first end ofthe nock body. In one embodiment, ultraviolet curable glue is used toaccomplish the securing. Other securing methods and means can also beemployed. For example, heat staking or ultrasonically welding the nockbody to the LED end of the LED assembly can be used. A mechanical pin or“C” clip can also be driven through the nock body and the LED end of theLED assembly to join the two components in other alternatives.

In certain embodiments, the activation collar 114 is slid over the firstend of the nock body 110 with the teeth facing away from the first end.The activation collar is installed with the LED in the “Off” ordeactivated position to set an activation gap for the lighted nock 100.Then the nock body assembly is mated with the nock housing 116 byinserting the first end of the nock body into the receiving end (secondend) of the housing 116 until the components are fit together.

The housing portion of the LED assembly 112 is then secured to the nockhousing 116. In the illustrated embodiment, the distal end of thebattery housing portion is secured via a battery retention screw 124that tightens the two halves 122 of the first end together to close thegap 120, which grips the LED housing portion of the LED assembly 112securely. Alternatively, the housing portion can be glued in place orattached in a similar manner to the LED end as discussed previously. Inthe glued embodiment, the first end of the housing 116 need not beconfigured to form the gap 120. A simple bore can be provided with thenecessary clearance for the housing portion distal end.

The color changing lighted nock assembly 100 is rotationally indexablewith respect to the arrow shaft in which it is inserted. The indexposition will not be lost by operation of the lighted nock assembly(e.g. opening and closing of the activation gap). Index structures suchas raised male index tabs 118 of the nock body 110 engage correspondingrecessed female index slots 119 defined in the housing 116 when the twocomponents are secured together. This configuration prevents rotation ofthe nock body 110 with respect to the nock housing 116, while permittingthese respective components to still move longitudinally with respect toone another.

The LED assembly 112 comprises an elongated body with an LED disposed onone end and a housing extending opposite of the LED to define the otherend. An activation gap is defined at the juncture of the LED and housingso that the LED can be activated by closing the gap (i.e. moving the LEDtowards the housing) and deactivated by opening the gap (i.e. moving theLED away from the housing).

The housing portion of the LED assembly includes the power source forthe LED as well as the electronics for controlling the color of the LED.The color changing electronics can be either integrated as a singlecircuit component, or the electronics can be separately disposed on asubstrate and electronically coupled to one another to provide thespecified functionality.

The battery is preferably a lithium type battery due to thesize/capacity advantages of such type. However, other battery types canbe used (including multiple batteries in series or parallel) withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention.

The LED assembly can alternatively be disposed inside of the arrowshaft, but be external to the nock components. In such embodiment, theLED assembly is arranged so that the light from the LED is transferredthrough the nock body so that the nock is illuminated. The LED assemblycan be located adjacent the nock or anywhere along the length of thearrow shaft, including at the opposing front end of the arrow shaftwhere the arrow head is located. The LED assembly can even be locatedwithin the arrow head with the light projected rearward through thearrow shaft to illuminate the nock end.

Referring to FIG. 4, an electrical circuit schematic for enabling thecolor changing feature is shown. The LED 200 is a common cathodered/green/blue (RGB) surface mount (SMT) LED. The RGB LED 200 is able toproduce virtually any color or hue of light by selectively powering theinputs to the component. It should be noted that the circuit can also bere-configured to utilize a common anode RGB LED or other types ofvariable color LED components without departing from the scope of theinvention.

In the indicated embodiment, the capacitors C1, C3 and C4 each are 0.1uF 16V capacitors. Capacitor C2 is a 1.0 uF by capacitor. Controltransistors Q1, Q2 and Q3 are −20V, 200 mA, P-channel Mosfets. ResistorsR1 and R3 are each 10 Ohm resistors. Resistor R2 is a 56 Ohm resistor.

The magnetic sensor (Hall sensor U3) 202 is a hall sensor. For example,the hall sensor used in the embodiment shown in the FIG. 4 is a dualpolarity, 1.6 to 3.5V, CMOS out, SOT23 hall sensor. The magnetic sensor202 senses application of a magnetic field that is greater than apre-set threshold.

Components U1 and U2 are each dual positive-edge-triggered D-Typeflip-flops. The flip-flops (U1 and U2), 204 and 206 respectively,function as memory cells that allow the circuit to “count” through thesequence of colors of the LED by advancing the clock setting in eachflip-flop with each occurrence of triggering the hall sensor 202 by amagnetic field. The outputs of the flip-flops 204, 206 (U1 and U2) arecoupled to the transistors Q1, Q2 and Q3 as indicated in FIG. 4, whichallows for the LED colors to be changed in a pre-ordered sequence ofcolors. In one embodiment there are seven colors in the order of: green,red, yellow, blue, teal, pink, and white. Of course, more or fewernumbers of colors can be provided, as well as the colors themselves andtheir order can be varied, without departing from the scope of theinvention.

In another example embodiment, one of the color positions, such aswhite, can be swapped for an LED “off” setting. Thus, the LED will beset to be non-illuminated regardless of whether the activation gap isclosed. This embodiment provides the user the ability to shoot theirarrow without the LED becoming illuminated while avoiding the need toprovide a mechanical means (e.g. a lockout collar) for preventing theLED from illuminating.

In a further example embodiment, the color changing circuit can beconfigured to put the LED into a flashing mode as one of the sequence ofLED output modes.

The electronic circuit disclosed herein for changing the LED colorsadvantageously does not require a microprocessor to control the colorsequencing of the LED. This allows the circuit to be made smaller andless costly as compared to a circuit that includes a microprocessor.However, in certain embodiments, a control circuit that includes amicroprocessor programmed to sequence the colors of the LED can beprovided without departing from the scope of the invention.

FIG. 5 shows the circuit components of FIG. 4 disposed on a circuitboard 208 in one embodiment of a board layout. However, other layoutsand configurations can be provided without departing from the scope ofthe invention.

Some or all of the various color changing circuit components describedherein can also be configured as a custom integrated circuit component.This would allow the electronics to be physically much smaller than thediscrete circuit of FIG. 4, which is made from independent electroniccomponents.

The magnet used to generate the magnetic field to advance the color canbe any ordinary magnet with a magnetic field sufficient to trigger thehall sensor.

The hall sensor 202 can be replaced with a different type of sensor inalternative embodiments. For example, an accelerometer or impact sensorcomponent can be provided, which will react to a force applied to thearrow nock. In such example, the colors can be advanced by tapping thenock body with the user's hand or by contacting the nock body against asurface. However, the force is preferably selected such that the coloris not advanced when the arrow is shot from a bow or when contacting atarget.

The present invention can be combined into a kit (assembled orunassembled) including one or more arrow shafts or arrow heads. Thepresent invention can also be configured as a retrofit LED assembly thatwill fit in the same space as a single-color LED assembly inconventional equipment.

Two or more colors can be provided, but preferably more than twodifferent colors are selectable, and significantly more than threecolors can be provided (e.g. six or twelve or more) according to certainembodiments.

In use, according to one example embodiment, the nock assembly 100 isplaced in the activated, LED “on” or lit state by moving the nock body110 towards the housing 116 (preferably in a linear longitudinalmanner). Then the user brings a magnet within range of the magneticsensor 202 (U3). The sensor 202 causes the electronic components in thecircuit to advance, clock, step or toggle to the next LED color in thepossible sequence of colors enabled by the circuit. The magnet is thenremoved from the proximity of the magnetic sensor 202.

The next available color can be selected by again bringing the magnetwithin close enough proximity to the magnetic sensor 202 to trigger thesensor, thereby causing the circuit to advance to the next color.

Repeated application and withdrawal of the magnet as described abovewill cause the circuit to eventually advance through all of theavailable colors. At that point, the next advancing action will be backto the first color in the available sequence of colors.

Once the LED is emitting the color or hue from the available colors thatthe user chooses, the LED is turned off by pulling or moving the nockbody 110 away from the housing 116 (again preferably in a linearlylongitudinal manner). In the “off” or deactivated (unlit) state, thehall sensor is not triggered by the presence of a magnetic field, so thecolor will not accidentally advance to another setting.

When the LED is activated or turned on again, it will be the same colorit was when it was turned off. Thus, the color setting is maintaineduntil the user changes it in the manner described herein.

It is a feature and advantage of certain embodiments to provide anon/off mechanism separate from the color advancing mechanism. Doing thispermits the same color to be maintained regardless of the number ofon/off cycles of the LED.

The color changing features need not be limited to arrow nocks. Theinvention can be applied to other sporting equipment where internallighting is desirable. For example, the LED, battery and associatedcircuitry can be disposed within fishing equipment such as bobbers andlures, inside of golf balls, secured to Frisbees, among others.

While the invention has been described in connection with what ispresently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments,it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that theinvention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments. It will bereadily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that manymodifications and equivalent arrangements can be made thereof withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, suchscope to be accorded the broadest interpretation of the appended claimsso as to encompass all equivalent structures and products. Moreover,features or aspects of various example embodiments may be mixed andmatched (even if such combination is not explicitly described herein)without departing from the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A color changing lighted nock for arrow shafts,comprising: a nock assembly; and an electronic circuit disposed withinthe nock assembly, the electronic circuit comprising: a red/green/blue(RGB) light emitting diode (LED); a first flip-flop coupled to the RGBLED; and a magnetic sensor coupled to the first flip-flop.
 2. The colorchanging lighted nock of claim 1, further comprising a second flip-flopcoupled to the RGB LED and to the first flip-flop.
 3. The color changinglighted nock of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of transistorselectrically disposed between the first flip-flop and the RGB LED. 4.The color changing lighted nock of claim 1, further comprising: a secondflip-flop coupled to the RGB LED and to the first flip-flop; a firsttransistor electrically disposed between the first flip-flop and the RGBLED; a second transistor electrically disposed between the firstflip-flop and the RGB LED; and a third transistor electrically disposedbetween the second flip-flop and the RGB LED.
 5. The color changinglighted nock of claim 1, wherein the electronic circuit is configured tosequentially advance to a next one of a plurality of different colorsupon the application of a magnetic field to the magnetic sensor.
 6. Thecolor changing lighted nock of claim 5, wherein the electronic circuitis further configured to set the LED to not illuminate upon theapplication of a magnetic field to the magnetic sensor.
 7. The colorchanging lighted nock of claim 5, wherein the plurality of differentcolors includes green, red, yellow and blue.
 8. The color changinglighted nock of claim 1, wherein the nock assembly comprises a nock endslidably disposed partially within a nock housing; and wherein anactivation gap is defined between the nock end and the nock housing, theLED being illuminated when the activation gap is closed and notilluminated when the activation gap is open.
 9. A color changing lightednock kit for arrow shafts, the kit comprising: a plastic shell; a colorchanging lighted nock according to claim 1 disposed within the plasticshell, wherein the color changing lighted nock includes a shaftinsertion portion having a first diameter dimension; a first adaptordisposed in the plastic shell, the first adaptor including an internalopening having an internal diameter conforming to the first diameterdimension of the shaft insertion portion of the color changing lightednock, and the first adaptor having a first adaptor outside diameter thatis larger than the first end outside diameter dimension of the shaftinsertion portion of the color changing lighted nock; and a secondadaptor disposed in the plastic shell, the second adaptor including aninternal opening having an internal diameter conforming to the firstdiameter dimension of the shaft insertion portion of the color changinglighted nock, and the second adaptor having a second adaptor outsidediameter larger than the first adaptor outside diameter.
 10. The colorchanging lighted nock kit for arrow shafts of claim 9, wherein the colorchanging lighted nock includes a nock body, the nock body including anindex structure that prevents relative rotation of the nock body withrespect to the arrow shaft while allowing the nock body to move towardsthe arrow shaft along a longitudinal axis of the arrow shaft toilluminate the RGB LED.
 11. A method of changing color of a lightednock, the method comprising: activating an LED assembly disposed withinthe lighted nock, the LED assembly including a magnetic sensor; applyinga magnetic field to the lighted nock; and sequentially advancing to anext one of a plurality of different colors upon the application of amagnetic field to the magnetic sensor.
 12. The method of claim 11,wherein the step of activating the LED assembly comprises closing anactivation gap defined between a nock housing and a nock end of a nockfor arrow shafts.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein the step ofsequentially advancing to a next one of a plurality of different colorscomprises advancing the clock setting in a flip-flop circuit componentupon the application of the magnetic field to the magnetic sensor. 14.The method of claim 11, further comprising initiating a flashingcondition upon the application of a magnetic field to the magneticsensor.
 15. The method of claim 11, further comprising sequentiallyadvancing to a non-illuminate condition upon the application of amagnetic field to the magnetic sensor.
 16. An electronic circuit forchanging color of an LED assembly, the electronic circuit comprising: anLED; a first flip-flop coupled to the LED; a magnetic sensor coupled tothe first flip-flop; and a second flip-flop coupled to the firstflip-flop and to the LED.
 17. The electronic circuit of claim 16,wherein the LED is an RGB LED.
 18. The electronic circuit of claim 16,further comprising: a first transistor electrically disposed between thefirst flip-flop and the LED; a second transistor electrically disposedbetween the first flip-flop and the LED; and a third transistorelectrically disposed between the second flip-flop and the LED.
 19. Theelectronic circuit of claim 16, wherein the first flip-flop and thesecond flip-flop are disposed on a circuit board.
 20. The electroniccircuit of claim 16, wherein each of the first flip-flop and the secondflip-flop are dual positive-edge-triggered D-Type flip-flops.